Tekturna - 2007 FDA approvals

Drug: Tekturna (aliskiren)
Indication: Hypertension
Company: Novartis
Approval Date: March 5, 2007

Scoop: Tekturna is the first in a new class of drugs called direct renin inhibitors, which target an enzyme responsible for triggering a process that can contribute to high blood pressure. Novartis hopes that Tekturna will eventually replace the company's blockbuster drug Diovan--which does $4.22 billion in annual sales--when the patent on that drug expires.

More news:
FDA approves Novartis' Tekturna. Report

Image: Tekturna packaging